Bahrain » Introduction of Manama

Manama is the capital city of Bahrain and is the country's largest city with a population of approximately 155,000, roughly a quarter of country's entire population.

Manama is located at 26.21667° N 50.5833° E. Manama was mentioned in Islamic chronicles at least as far back as 1345. It was conquered by the Portuguese in 1521 and then by the Persians in 1602. It has been held, with brief interruptions, by the ruling Al-Khalifa dynasty since 1783. Manama was declared a free port in 1958, and in 1971 became the capital of independent Bahrain.

The economic base for Manama is financial services, with over two hundred financial institutions and banks based in the Diplomatic Area. There is also a large retail sector in the shopping malls around Seef, while the centre of Manama is dominated by small workshops and traders. Manama is served by Bahrain International Airport on the nearby island of Al Muharraq, to which it is connected with a causeway. Manama also is home to the American Mission Hospital, founded in 1893.